Singapore Expats

Hi all,

So I've been in SG a little over a week. At the moment Im in a Serviced Apartment provided by my employer. Toward the begining of March I'll need to look for a new place to go but having a bit of a catch-22 moment and wondered if anyone had advice:

I don't have the upfront cash to be able to put down a deposit and a months rent in advance until I get my first pay...

However, to get paid I need a bank account in Singapore

To get a bank account in Singapore they want a proof of address...

So, you see my problem. Anyone else had the same issue?

thanks

R

mrjester wrote:Hi all,

So I've been in SG a little over a week. At the moment Im in a Serviced Apartment provided by my employer. Toward the begining of March I'll need to look for a new place to go but having a bit of a catch-22 moment and wondered if anyone had advice:

I don't have the upfront cash to be able to put down a deposit and a months rent in advance until I get my first pay...

However, to get paid I need a bank account in Singapore

To get a bank account in Singapore they want a proof of address...

So, you see my problem. Anyone else had the same issue?

thanks

R

I just arrived in Jan.

I used my work address to open the bank account even before I picked up my EP ID card. I brought my ICA letter which has my FIN number and a letter of employment verification from my employer. The bank used my work address to open the bank accounts. They gave me the ATM card on the spot and mailed me the checks. I'm now in process of moving to my apt and will change the address to there. My experience is with Citibank.

I brought CASH but the exchange rate at the bank sucked so I went to Mustafa to exchange it for SGD and then deposited this to my bank account. I ended up keeping 1/2 of my cash in USD and converted 1/2 at Mustafa.

I got my bank account within first two weeks of arriving and my first pay was auto-deposited into my account.

I knew about need a good chuck of change in the beginning to rent the place for one or two years so I made sure:

1) I had enough money (I brought CASH, some people used their ATM cards to withdraw from bank back home) to ensure that if I found the place of my dream, my decision would not be impacted by lack of liquid money.

2) I negotiated for two month temporary accommodation instead of standard one month offered by the company as I didn't want to be rushed into finding a place to live. My company didn't pay until toward the end of the month and only once a month so I argued this as a point that I truly don't have full month to look for a place without being paid.

You are by far the most useless frequent poster on this forum, IMHO ... and I do wish there was ignore feature on this forum.

Over 2000 posts in a 1 1/2 yrs??? Please remember that's a lot of daily posts from you that some of us have to ignore.

Hidy Ho wrote:You are by far the most useless frequent poster on this forum, IMHO ... and I do wish there was ignore feature on this forum.

Over 2000 posts in a 1 1/2 yrs??? Please remember that's a lot of daily posts from you that some of us have to ignore.

I struck off my post, when I realised that your Lordship's post, which had come in while I penning my thoughts was similar to mine, and seem to have offended your Lordship

Remind me again, dos the forum pay me for posting ? no .. it is about sharing and helping. And I am not a narcissist or craving for the post of the High Priest, nor would I be eligible for one, considering my occasional excursions from the main topic at hand ..

So you'd rather have a silent forum that somebody giving or trying to give advice ? I know sometimes I have gone off the tangent, and I guess so does most regular contributors here.

Oh, wait, look who's talking, the person who said "to give the finger" to get things done ??? sound familiar ?

Let me refresh your memory sir ..

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/sutra5 ... ht=#565952

And that's the kind of sound advice you prefer I guess, yah ?

By the way, don't forget your medication. I remembered that you have hypertension, and Fret not: I am not here to upstage you or want to win any prize or award or any recognition. I post when I feel like my voice is worth it - you have a problem ? take it with the Mods, instead of "Showing your finger" ..

Have a nice day, do pop a couple of Atenalols - they help .. and I am not as old as you are, and you should stop picking on younger people ..

mrjester wrote:Hi all,

So I've been in SG a little over a week. At the moment Im in a Serviced Apartment provided by my employer. Toward the begining of March I'll need to look for a new place to go but having a bit of a catch-22 moment and wondered if anyone had advice:

I don't have the upfront cash to be able to put down a deposit and a months rent in advance until I get my first pay...

However, to get paid I need a bank account in Singapore

To get a bank account in Singapore they want a proof of address...

So, you see my problem. Anyone else had the same issue?

thanks

R

I have to admit I opened an account with no money and no address in the first few days of arriving here, I used my employers address, my contract and my IPA letter to open, they then gave me my cheque book, Visa card, Nets card and Internet Banking token all on the spot! DBS were very good! I did then transfer some money in from my home country to pay my rental deposits etc. Do you have this option? Or are you waiting on the first month's pay cheque?

Good luck

Thanks for the replies.

I went to DBS and they seem to understand better than other banks about needing an account in order to have somewhere to live etc. As you say, I went in and 20 mins later came out with a bank card and shiny new account.

R

I was also able to open an account on my day of arrival - Citibank were great and I had all my bank cards etc within a few hours. I just had to show my contract and used my work address until I had my own place.